New Delhi, Feb 23 (.): While a biopic on Kishore Kumar has been in development for years, another legendary Indian musician is now set to have his life chronicled on the big screen. According to Variety India, a film on R D Burman is currently in development, with acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Pandey at the helm.
Pandey, known for thrillers such as A Wednesday, Special 26 and Baby, returns to the biopic genre a decade after his box office hit MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, which chronicled the life of the former Indian cricket captain.
While Pandey has not commented publicly, sources indicate that he has completed the script and conducted location recce work in Scotland and Budapest.
Casting discussions are underway, with the makers reportedly in talks with a leading actor who previously headlined a critically acclaimed Hindi biopic widely regarded as one of the finest in the genre. Shooting schedules will be finalised based on the lead actor’s availability, as per Variety India.
Fondly remembered as Pancham Da, R D Burman is considered one of the greatest composers in Indian cinema. Known for his unpredictable and genre-defying music, he transformed film music by blending Western rock and jazz with Indian classical sounds.
Over a career spanning the 1960s to the 1990s, he composed music for more than 300 films and collaborated with legendary singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar.
From energetic hits like “Dum Maro Dum” and “Mehbooba Mehbooba” to soulful tracks such as “Tumse Naraz Nahi Zindagi” and “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko,” and timeless melodies including “Chand Mera Dil” and “O Mere Dil Ke Chain,” his music appealed to audiences across generations, according to Variety India.
Regardless of a film’s box office performance, his compositions consistently stood out. R D Burman’s innovative sound reshaped Hindi film music, leaving a lasting influence on generations of composers and continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide.
. MI SSI